Calcium Carbonate Production

Posted: Wed, April 16, 2014

Calcium Carbonate Storage
Application: The final product, calcium carbonate, is stored in silos before being shipped in bulk or in packages.

Challenges: Calcium carbonate is a very fine, powder-like material that creates a great deal of dust during the filling process. It also tends to stick to the walls of the silo as well as to the measurement devices. The sticky nature of the product creates buildup on the silo walls, making it difficult to continuously monitor and accurately measure the volume of the stored inventory. This, in turn, creates obstacles to efficient maintenance and impedes the end user’s ability to effectively manage and control inventories. This prevents the process from being interrupted or stopped unexpectedly. BinMaster’s 3D surface-mapping technology allows accurate volume measurement, taking into account the buildup on the silo walls. The 3D visualization tool provides a real-time 3D display which shows the distribution of the calcium carbonate inside the silo, allowing for the early detection of buildup as it occurs. This permits end users to schedule timely maintenance inside the silos and to avoid unexpected process stoppages, as well as associated losses in time and money. The 3DLevelScanner’s self-cleaning mechanism allows it to essentially operate as a maintenance-free instrument in challenging environments.

Crushed Limestone Silo
Application: Crushed limestone is stored in silos before entering the production process.

Challenges: Limestone generates a great deal of dust during the filling process and tends to stick to the walls of the silo, creating irregular buildup and rat holes. Because limestone is essential for the steel production process, it is important to quantify the amount of raw material available in the silo to ensure continuous production. The BinMaster 3DLevelScanner’s sophisticated surface mapping technology and dust-penetrating capabilities delivers real-time volume measurements and generates a 3D display of the silo contents, allowing for the early detection of buildup. This allows for maintenance and scheduling cleaning, avoiding unexpected process interruptions and losses in time and money.